May 2, 2012
Ireland

Locals in Moyvane up in arms over plans to build windfarm

DÓNAL NOLAN, The Kerryman, 2 May 2012

Concern is mounting in Moyvane over plans for a windfarm that locals say will be built within 500 metres of homes if granted permission.

The Moyvane/ Knockanure Anti-Windfarm committee was formed this week in response to plans by a major energy company to locate a windfarm of seven turbines about a mile from the village.

The concerned members of the committee say they are opposed to the windfarm on the grounds of its proximity to homes, the possible noise it could cause and the visual impact on the countryside. The company behind the plans recently held an information seminar for locals at the Marian Hall and it is believed that a planning application will be submitted to Kerry County Council this month.

Committee spokesperson Jeremiah McCarthy, who built his new home only six months ago, says he would have a direct line of sight on the turbines from the rear of his house. “These are going to be massive turbines at 125 metres and I certainly don’t want to be looking at them from my house. There are a lot of us who are very concerned about the plans and it’s not that we’re opposed to wind turbine technology it’s just that this farm will come way too close to our homes. It’s going to be as close as 500 metres to some houses which is way too close as far as we’re concerned,” he said.

“Noise pollution is another huge concern for us as these are massive turbines. I’m very unhappy with the whole thing from a personal point of view as it took me two years to get planning permission for my house and to think that a company can come along and undergo a six-month process like this makes it seem like the system is unfair.”

Michael O’Flaherty, who is also on the committee, said the windfarm is planned for the three townlands of Gortdromasilla, Killbaha and Tubbertureen.

“The plans appear to be totally unreasonable to me as they will affect up to 100 houses. We are also very worried about the shadow flicker as we’re on the north side so we will be between the sun and the turbines throughout the morning for much of the year. There are many fears about possible noise pollution too as we’ve seen in other places that families living near turbines can find it hard to sleep, particularly children.”

The Kerryman attempted to make contact with the company behind the windfarm plans but received no response by the time of going press.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/02/locals-in-moyvane-up-in-arms-over-plans-to-build-windfarm/